Coronavirus

Coronavirus deals a blow to Ethiopia’s elections

By Bronwyn Bruton

On March 31, the government of Ethiopia indefinitely postponed historic elections that were scheduled to take place in August. This makes Ethiopia the first African nation, in what is likely to be a wave of countries, forced to set back highly contentious political contests in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic, with significant implications for the outcome.

Will coronavirus cuts kill off Ukraine’s post-Maidan cultural renaissance?

By Marina Pesenti

Ukraine is preparing major budget cuts to cultural institutions as part of efforts to fund the fight against coronavirus. This threatens to reverse the progress in the cultural sphere achieved since 2014.

Isolated Gaza reaches out for help to battle coronavirus

By Jonathan H. Ferziger

2 million Gazans are burrowing into home isolation like the rest of the world in the hope they can ride out the threat despite their woefully insufficient medical facilities.

Coronavirus cases near 1 million; “jaw-dropping” US joblessness

By Atlantic Council

The number of coronavirus cases approached 1 million worldwide, with another record day of deaths in Spain and an extension to lockdown restrictions in the United States. “Jaw-dropping” jobless claims numbers were released in the United States on April 2 even after last week’s record increase.

Separating fact from fiction and fate: Assessing Iran’s response to COVID-19

By Borzou Daragahi

Iran has one of the best medical and public health infrastructures in the Middle East, exporting its cadre of physicians abroad for decades. But the crisis has revealed a nation where politics and appearances trump public safety.

Event recap | Using data for good in the fight against COVID-19

By the GeoTech Center

On April 1, 2020, Mr. Eric Sapp, CEO of Public Democracy and Dr. David Bray, Director of the Atlantic Council's GeoTech Center, emceed a live video discussion title "Using Data for Good in the Fight Against COVID-19."

Getting ahead of the crisis: COVID-19’s impact on societies, economies, tech, data, and geopolitics

By Atlantic Council

On March 31, 2020, Bob Gourley, Co-Founder of OODAloop and David Bray, Atlantic Council GeoTech Center Director participated in a video discussion on COVID-19's impact on societies, economies, tech, data, and geopolitics.

Cities “on the front lines” of the coronavirus crisis

By David A. Wemer

As the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic worsens and deaths increase around the world, national and local governments are racing to prepare their healthcare systems, infrastructure, and economies to weather the current storm. “The world writ large was not adequately prepared to see what has come,” former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu said on April 1, adding that now it is up to mayors and local officials who “are really on the frontlines,” to take action to protect their citizens.

Iranian New Year in the time of coronavirus

By Tahereh Hadian-Jazy

The high number of deaths in Iran compared to the number of those infected reflects poorly on the level of treatment.

The First Responders of Fashion

From luxury designers to ordinary citizens, the coronavirus pandemic is inspiring thousands to take to their sewing machines, united by a common thread: making masks for those on the frontlines of this crisis.